Water Softener Startup, Rinse and Salt fill

These instructions cover the initial startup rinse process for basic water softener systems with the Fleck 5600 SXT digital filter valve.

1. With the softener assembled and connected to the service lines, confirm the bypass valve is in "bypass position" and plug in the 5600SXT power adapter into the 120v power outlet.

2. Slowly open the bypass valve to the 1/4 open position, partway between bypass and service. This will gently fill the softener with water. Allow the water to run and fill the tank for several minutes before proceeding.

3. Press and hold the "Extra Cycle" button for 5 seconds. The display will flash "- - - -", and after 20-30 seconds it will show "BW" with a countdown. This means the valve has finished moving the internal piston into position and is now in the backwash stage. The softener should begin discharging water to the drain line at a reduced flow rate.

4. After 4-5 minutes, open the bypass valve to the full “service” position. The discharge flow rate to the drain should increase.

5. Allow the softener to run the entire backwash cycle. When it finishes, it will switch to the brine draw ("BD") step and display a long countdown.

6. Skip the “BD” step by pressing and releasing the Extra Cycle button.

7. The softener will start the Rapid Rinse step and display “RR” with a countdown. Allow this to step run to completion.

8. After the Rapid Rinse finishes, the Brine Fill (“BF”) stage will begin. The valve slowly adds water to the brine tank through the 3/8" plastic brine tube at a regulated 0.5 GPM flow rate. It runs for a preset duration that adds the correct amount of water for your tank. Allow it to complete the Brine Fill and return to the service position.

9. Add softener salt to water in the brine tank. We recommend adding salt until the salt level is approximately 1” above or below the water level.

10. Open a downstream faucet nearest to the softener and let the water run.

11. Confirm the flow meter is functioning by checking the 5600SXT display: while water is flowing, the water-drop icon should blink and the gallon readout should slowly cout down.

12. Set the time of day to the current time with the up/down arrows, then press the Extra Cycle button to confirm the change.

The softener setup and rinse are now complete. Leave the bypass valve in the full service position.